Bennet (surname)
| Bennet | |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈbɛnɪt/ |
| Origin | |
| Region of origin | England |
| Language(s) | Anglo-Norman, Old French |
| Meaning | "blessed" |
| Other names | |
| Variant(s) | Benedict, Benoît, Bénet |
Bennet (also spelled 'Bennett') is an English and Irish language surname (and, less commonly, given name); related to the medieval name Benedict, both ultimately from Latin Benedictus "blessed". Bennett is the English spelling of the Anglo-Norman name Ben[n]et (Modern French first name Benoît, surname Bénet[1]). The oldest public record of the surname is dated 1208 in County Durham.[2] §
Bennet is an English surname with Norman roots; Anglo-Norman: from the medieval personal name Benedict (from the Latin Benedictus, literally meaning "blessed"). In the 12th century, it became a common given name throughout Europe due to the popularity of St. Benedict (c.480-550), the Latin form of the name was found in England, alongside versions derived from the Old French forms, Beneit and Benoit, which was common among the Normans. "In the reigns of Edwards II. and III. the name is found thus modified: Fitz Benedict, Benediscite, Bendiste, Bendish, Bennett."[3][4][5]
Derived surnames include: Bonnet, Jennett, Kennett, Dennett, Benet, Beckett, Barnett, & Basnett
See also: Saint Benedict of Nursia, patron saint of Europe, and twin brother of Saint Scholastica.
Notable people with the surname include:
- Charles Bennet, 6th Earl of Tankerville
- Chloe Bennet, actress
- Douglas J. Bennet, American diplomat and president of Wesleyan University
- Eduardo Bennet, soccer player
- Ferdinando Bennet, English soldier and cricketer
- Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington
- Isabella Bennet, 2nd Countess of Arlington
- James Bennet (journalist), U.S. newspaper and magazine editor
- John Bennet (disambiguation)
- John Bennet (composer) (c. 1575 – after 1614), English composer
- John Bennet (judge) (1552/3–1627), English judge and MP accused of corruption
- John Bennet (preacher) (1714–1759), English Methodist preacher
- John Bennet (MP) (1628–1663), English landowner and politician
- John Bennet (writer) (died 1686), English writer
- John Bennet, 1st Baron Ossulston (1616–1695), English statesman
- John Bennet (archaeologist), British archaeologist and Professor of Aegean Archaeology at Sheffield University
- John Bennet of the Bennet baronets
- Keane Grace Wallis Bennet (died 2014), died in an accident
- Meg Bennet, screenwriter, actress
- Michael Bennet, United States Senator from Colorado
- Spencer Gordon Bennet, film director
- Thomas Bennet (clergyman), English clergyman
- Thomas Bennet (academic), Master of University College, Oxford
Fictional characters
- The Bennet family in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
- Mr. Bennet (Pride and Prejudice)
- Mrs. Bennet
- Elizabeth Bennet, daughter of the above
- The Bennet family in the Heroes TV series:
- Claire Bennet, cheerleader character
- Noah Bennet, adoptive father of Claire, known as "Horn-Rimmed Glasses"
- Sandra Bennet, Noah's wife and Claire's adoptive mother
- Lyle Bennet, son of Noah and Sandra
- Bennet from the 1985 action film Commando
- Vice President Kathryn Bennet, a character from the 1999 action film Air Force One
References
- ↑ Albert Dauzat, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, Librairie Larousse 1980, édition revue et augmentée par Marie-Thérèse Morlet, p. 36b.
- ↑ "Surname: Bennett". surnamedb.com. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ↑ Etymology of the name "Bennet"
- ↑ Etymology of the name "Bennet"
- ↑ Etymology of the name "Bennet"